Here is a local attraction that could be a treat reserved for those cold days of winter. The Victorian Doll Museum & Chili Doll Hospital has over 2,000 dolls ranging from modern to antique. They are made by varied construction from bisque (porcelain), china, felt, ivory, metal, paper mache, tin, vinyl, wax, and wood.
Unique additions include boudoir dolls, Bye-Lo babies, French and German bisque dolls, Dionne Quints dolls, Kewpies, Patsy dolls, Shirley Temple dolls and Schoenhut dolls. There are dolls by Madame Alexander, Effanbee and Vogue. Dolls representing famous personalities from advertising, comics, fashion, historical figures, literature, medicine, and movies may be seen.
Yet the museum has more than dolls in its collections. There are Victorian memorabilia, a puppet theater, a toy circus, an electrified marionette show, and Noah’s Ark with animals. There are dollhouses and children’s china tea sets.
In addition to the museum it is a doll hospital where dolls may be brought for repair. They can be restored in a few days bringing them back to health again.
Many visiting the museum are reminded of early childhood days when they see dolls popular from the past. Display cases are so full that they no longer accept additional dolls for their collection. The Victorian Doll Museum & Chili Doll Hospital is the result of Linda Greenfield. She began collecting dolls when she was eight years old as many young girls in the 1960’s. But her hobby grew into a passion that has led to the establishment of this unique doll museum.
Housing the doll museum is a historic red building originally built in the early 1900’s. Over the years it was used by a number of different businesses. Early it was a general store, soda fountain and gas station. During World War II it was used as a grocery store then lasting a succession of changes.
Over the years it was used as a barbershop, bookstore, dry cleaner, men’s clothing store, print shop, and upholstery business. Finally it was purchased in the 1970’s as a permanent home for the doll museum and hospital.
The Victorian Doll Museum & Chili Doll Hospital is located in North Chili. It is off I-490 exit 7B 4.5 miles west to route 33, 4332 Buffalo Road. The doll museum is open Tuesday to Saturday, 10:00 AM to 4:30 PM from February to December. Allow at least 1 hour for your visit to see the vast assortment of doll collections.
The town of Chili has a population of 28,625 within an area of 39.9 square miles. During Civil War days North Chili was a stop on the Underground Railroad. Surprisingly the origin of the town’s name “Chili” has nothing to do with hot peppers. One theory is that it was named for the country of Chile in South America.
Psychologists surely could explain the need for dolls during early adolescence. But why not merely enjoy viewing the historic development of dolls over the years within the museum.
Comments